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LIFE'S Melody 



...AND... 



The Celestial Hymn 



..BY. 



MARY A. ROSE 



SAN FRANCISCO 

PRESS OF R R. PATTERSON 

42g Montgfonierv Street 



LIBRARY of OONGRESS 
TWO CoDles Reeetved 
JUL 21 1904 
, Oopyrffht Entry 

CLA8gPa^X)?e.NX 

COPY B 






RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO 

WILL HAUSER 



PART I. 

Life's Melody 



LIFE'S MELODY. 
Were Life one sweet fulfillment 
Of each and every hope 
That awaketh in the soul 
Of mortal man . . . 
Happiness could sit and chant 
A lovely melody, 
And all the listening world 
Would be in tune. 



HOPE. 

Oh wandering Soul who doth awake 
To morn of bitter disappointment, 
Sink not down to deep despair ! 
But battle well with Reason 

And win from her One hope 

To wear upon your soul 
Forevermore ! 



TO THEE. 
A little wish within my heart 

Is longing with wild expectation, 
And could one glance or word impart, 

It would to thee make its expression. 

Its tender thought is simply this — 
That I might whisper how I love you, 

And you would answer kiss for kiss, 
Then sweetly echo — Love, I love you. 



YE BLADES OF GRASS ! 
There is a blade - a tender blade, 

Of delicate and living green : 
Whose hidden beauty God hath made, 

For all her virtues are unseen. 

No royal flower of fairest hue. 
Most proudly garlanded together, 

Nor fragrant rose, nor violet blue, 
Could lessen that small simple treasure. 

IF YOU WERE MINE ! 
If you were mine ! 
Sweet, sweet would be each day, 
As in the springtime of fair May — 
When every flower doth ope to bloom, 
And birdlings sing their most exquisite tune. 

If you were mine ! 

I'd hie thee to Ihe urn of joy, 

To drink of Happiness without alloy — 

Until transfigured your world would seem, 

A Paradise or heavenly dream. 



THE ROSE. 
The most royal flower that grows 

In the garden of the world, 
Is the blushing fragrant rose 

When her leaves are all unfurled. 



She has titles befitting a queen, 

And robes of every hue, 
Her palace is velvet leaves of green. 

And her jewels are God's own dew. 
Her glance is a sweet caress, 

Her heart holds one thought dear 
That beauty was made to bless. 

For Life's not all it seemeth here ! 



THE- NIGHTINGALE. 
It was twilight and overhead 
Earth's tent was one deep wave of blue, 
Save where a twinkling star or two 
Peeped through a silken thread 

With a rainbow of colors the golden sun. 
Bade good-night- to the earth and the sky : 
Then lingered a little, lest Day should sigh 
That too soon did he seek the horizon. 

Down in the meadow where the clovers grew, 
A little brook sparkled among the green. 
Shadowing their forms in her silver sheen : 
And the idle zephyrs played there too. 
On a blossoming bough of an apple tree, 
Perched a feathered songster, when Lo ! 
He caroled an exquisite evening solo, 
That ended in a cadenza of melody. 

9 



What illumined his being with such ecstasy ? 
Did Nature's smile make his soul in tune, 
Or her velvet robe so bedecked with bloom, 
Overflood him with rapturous immensity ? 

For the sweetest song my ear ever heard, 
Was only sung to the fields and grass, 
Or the wanderer who might chance to pass : 
And was warbled by a plain brown bird. 



''YOU." 
I love you sweet, with all my might, 

For you are dear to me as right ! 
You are my sun that shines more bright. 

Than every other sphere of light ! 



WITHIN MY HEART. 
A strange sweet song, with passionate upstart, 
Awakened into life within my heart : 
Its melody poured forth and ceased to care. 
That it had played the deep chords hidden there. 

I tried to hush those chords to softer strain, 
Lest all the world might hear their sweet refrain. 
But on it sang in most exquisite theme, 
Until I bowed my head in rapturous dream. 

Then soaring from my heart on sound away, 
It winged into another heart to stay. 
And there awoke an echoing harmony, 
Adding to Love — one more dear memory. 

lO 



THE WAY TO PEACE. 

Take Joy home with you, 

And mould your life * 

Into her sweetest note ! 

Perfecting its tone so faithfully true, 

That the sound will denote 

The key to her sublimest tune. 

Take pure Content as your companion dear ! 
And wear her on your soul . . . 

an immortal flower, 
Through every vale or homely atmosphere, 
Through every glad or saddened hour. 

Take Hope as your guiding star. 

And let her steadfast light be as the blue of 

heaven ; 
That no dull cloud can ever change or mar. 
That smiles serene through all time and season, 

Take lyove to be your sun . . . 
And let her rays of glory shine 

deep, around, within ; 
Illumining life so that an orison. 
Will be the sweet influence from Sin. 



II 



Violet ! Violet ! 
lyift thy shy sweet face 

With its eye of deep gold ! 
Doth thy lowly grace 

A heavenly message hold? 

Violet ! Violet ! 
Most beloved little flower, 

Oh how fragrant thy breath ! 
The world, who knoweth thy power 

Would mourn forever thy death. 



WAS IT A DREAM? 

Was it a dream ? 

That in my arms I held you sweet, 
And felt your tender heart beat — beat, 
Against my very own? 

Was it a dream ? 

That lip pressed lip in clinging kiss, 
Enthralling in full exquisite bliss, 
Our very souls. 

Was it a dream ? 

Then Happiness no more begone ! 
But let me dream fore\ er on 
And wake no more ! 

12 



• I^IFE'S MASTERPIECE. 

I lifted up mine eyes to a broad plain 

Where grew the golden eared wheat — 

Whose food to man means life : 

And methought — a heavenly holier power, 

Instilled into that bread its worth, 

To gladden man and make him think 

Of loftier Things. 

I stood amidst a grove of scented Pine, 

That stretched their branches o'er 

To kiss the Cedar and the spreading Oak, 

That grew around about them : 

And dreamily I asked my soul — 

Did little seed produce so great a forest 

As I now beheld ? 

Far up on a steep mountain side, 
Whose height seemed half hidden 
By a blue and misty vapor — 
Some gentle sheep were grazing 
On clover — planted by Divine hand : 
And this thought stirred within^ — 
What sweeter meat could gods of earth 
Ask for life's nourishment? 

Standing over a clear running stream, 
I cupped up to my lips its liquid sweet, 
Till thirst it quenched complete : 

13 



Wonder filled my breast — 

That such a spring did satisfy 

A want, Nature demanded. 

I gazed upon a wizened space of ground 

Whose blackness and course mars 

Proclaimed it valueless : 

But when I delved into its virtuous depth 

Lo ! Ophir, gold and mineral wept forth 

To richen Earth with wealth. 

But nobler far than each of these 

Is lyife's crowning masterpiece - 

Man in God's image born : 

An eternal soul in his body incased, 

Makes him heir to a heavenly inheritance 

In Paradise forever. 



TO ME. 

To me thou'rt fairer than the fairest morn, 

That blushes into day ! 

Thy smiles are like sunshine in dark clouds, 

Changing to gold their gray ; 

Thy voice like music steals into my heart. 

Claiming a dwelling there — 

Indeed ! I have no words my song to start. 

Thou art so fair ! 



H 



Thine eyes are like the bluest flower 

That grows upon a summer lea ; 

Thy love will make my life a joy complete, 

A dream of ecstasy ! 

All others may speak lightly of thy name, 

I would but love thee more ! 

Ah yes ! I will love thee always the same, 

Forevermore ! 



LUIvI^ABY. 

Softly too and fro, too and fro. 
Off to Dream Isle baby must go ! 
Droop little eyelids — hide the light, 
And deep in thy cradle nestle all night ! 

Croon, croon, sweetly croon, 
Darling, I listen to my love-bird's tune, 
Hushed is day — let slumber close, 
And awake with thy sister, the rose ! 



DOST KNOW? 
Dost know thou art the instrument 
That keepeth my heart in tune, 
That thy smiles are the accompaniment. 
To thy glance that ends too soon ? 
That thy spoken word my heart doth beat, 
Into joy and measured time, 
That fills my soul with a bliss as sweet. 
As wedded melody and rhyme? 

15 



There is a Part in man that soars high above 
his intellectual Mind. . . . It is of itself a 
distinctive life and contains higher and loftier 
principles than all the other faculties com- 
bined. . . . Seers have titled this vital Part 
the Soul and God has proclaimed that Death 
shall not end its existence. It is impossible for 
man to recede from the dictates of this Soul or 
Conscience— for be he Sceptic, Atheist, Criminal 
or what he will — the sense of Right and Wrong 
is distinctive Truth and dwells forever there — 
the keynote to Judgment. 



Labor is a holy Work ! It edifies in the mind 
the problem of Life ! ... It awakens the 
Sturdiness of the God-fearing men who love Toil 
more than Idleness ! ... It has a higher 
element than these, for it uplifts and ennobles 
man from the clutches of Crime. 



i6 



PART II 
The Celestial Hvinn 



SYNOPSIS OF CANTOS. 

A Spirit from Earth goes to Heaven's Gate in quest 
of Immortal Life. Amazed at the beauty and glory of 
Heaven he desires an Angel to tell him why Eternal 
Ivife is denied to Man on Earth. 

The Angel answers, That Sin once entered Paradise 
through Satan, the leader of Wrong . . . that a great 
battle ensued which resulted in the triumph of God and 
Right and the banishment from Heaven forever of 
Satan and his host. 

That God then created Earth for a new race — but 
Satan — discon'ented with his surroundings sought a 
better atmosphere and beholding Earth decided to un- 
ravel the mystery of its origin. 

Through Duplicity he gained admittance to the 
Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve dwelt and suc- 
ceeded in accomplishing their fall from the Heavenly 
state to that of Mortal. 

God, who loved Mhu — announced a victory over 
Satan. He decreed that his Son, Jesus Christ, should 
be sacrificed for the remission of Man's sin. That He 
should come to Earth as a babe : should live and dwell 
among Men to teach them of their heavenly Father : 
should suffer and die on the cross as an atonement for 
Man's fall and that they who believe on His Name 
should be saved from the curse of Satan and dwell for- 
ever in Eternal Peace. 



19 



Oh HEAVENLY MUSE ! Whose liquid notes 

Warble sweetly through all ages — 

Waft out o'er the great abyss 

One Melody — one grand Theme 

Of that eternal bli-s denied to man on earth — 

Immortal Life. 



Methought I heard one sweetly solemn song, 

Wafted adown from Heaven's Throne — 

But when I listened, the exquisite music 

So filled my soul, that all its gates 

O'erflooded with ecstatic joy. 

Then when the sweet refrain had ended 

I found the story that it told 

Locked deep within my breast — 

And so — I breathe it forth 

To gladden souls on earth-. 



20 



CANTO I. 

Far beyond the glorious rolling clouds, 
Where myriad sprinkled stars peep out : 
And still beyond the path of Space 
That separates this lovely earth, from Peace- 
God's home in Paradise, 
There is a Throne. 

Out of ethereal loveliness. 

Arose a jasper wall : 

And marvel of fantasy and art — 

It was studded with gems so precious. 

That all Space reflected the glory 

Of that unequaled wall. 

The lovely dark blue sapphire. 

Gleamed with a royal blaze : 

The chalcedony, the emerald, the beryl, 

Radiated and dazzled with splendant rays : 

And the golden brown of the topaz. 

With its yellow sheens of light. 

Studded the arched pillars 

That rose to a lofty height. 

Each gem had a place of beauty 

To nestle into. Twined round 

The Sarduis was the Chrysolyte, 

The Amethyst, the Jacinth the Chrysopras : 

And the gates were massive Pearls. 

I entered through the exquisite portal 

And behold ! — no sun shone there 

21 



No moon No stars 

But a Being divinely fair. 

God ! . . . . supreme eternal, 

Was the light .... the sun — the moon — 

The lyife— the Alpha and Omega 

Of each soul that dwelt therein. 

In that wonderful, clear brightness 

Of sweet eternal day, 

I saw a crystal river 

Winding in picturesque way : 

On its banks bloomed the unfading amaranth, 

The piony and asphodel — 

And the Tree of L,ife and ambrosia 

Adorned the ever verdant vales and dells. 

The streets were of transparent gold, 

And led to the Throne of God, 

And holy angels tread softly o'er 

Playing their harps of gold. 

My soul trembled in wonder 

That no tear ever dimmed their eyes : 

No sorrow, no pain, no crying. 

Ever entered that holy shrine. 

No fierce tormenting passions 

No wrangling — no jealous pangs : 

But Peace : Joy ecstatic : Faith eternal, 

And Love the germ of all three 

And I beckoned a seraph to me 

With my outstreched trembling hand — 

For a spark of pity for this dear earth, 

22 



Dwelt still in my poor heart. 

*'Oh tell me, thou saintly spirit ! 

Has Sin ever entered here — 

Where pain and tears are unknown 

And love is love without fear ?" 

" Yes, Soul of Man— he answered — 

Sin once entered Paradise ! 

But Right always triumphs over Wrong, 

So Satan and his host were cast out. 

God loved Satan I.oved him so well. 

That He exalted him above the Archangel : 

But Satan's pride 

Would not bend to a higher Will. 

With subtle cunning and wicked art, 

He connived to usurp the Throne, 

And gathered a numberless host 

From among the servants of God. 

He whispered into the willing ears, 

And planted the dagger of jealousy 

Until they believed in their simple hearts, 

They were God's equal And he . . . 

Set to work to overthrow that Being, 
The Giver of Ufe to all — 
The one eternal Father, 
The Universal Soul. 

God knew He was not his equal : 

Knew Satan's pride over weighed his might. 

And in his great love and mercy, 

23 



Withdrew in the contest for Right. 

Right whispered — " Who shall I send 

To battle this terrible f oe ? 

For no one will ever conquer Sin 

Without the spirit of Right in him." 

Those all-seeing eyes wandered 

Over the vast throng — 

But though Love and Might were their armors, 

Satan needed more than them. 

Far back in countless ages, 

Life gave to God an heir — 

An image, made of His image - 

A Son. As dear to Him 

As to all the souls in Heaven : 

Loving as He was loved— 

The hope of the race : The promise 

Of God's bountiful goodness and grace. 

Did selfishness enter within that Soul 

For one moment ? 

Nay ! But He waited scarce wondering, 

Oh ecstasy ! He knew full well 

That the blessing was coming 

A voice said, " Father send me ! " 

Oh joy ! Could a choice have been better ? 

Could Satan now win or fail ? 

The answer was No ! before the battle. 

For Right was at war with Wrong. 



24 



CANTO II. 

Fiercer than any mortal combat, 

Than human eye has e'er bah^ld ! 

More deadly, because more fallen, 

Became those fallen souls 

No n^el of armoure I imple nents, 

Rude spears or bayonets : 

No winged steeds, no fiery clouds, 

Could restore those damned beings. 

No sound of trumpets heralded forth 

To crush those souls of sin — 

Th y fled from the gates of Paradise, 

No more to enter in. 

Hate . . . deep instilled within each heart. 

Hurt more than deadly bow, 

And the divine halo around Christ's head, 

Sent them down to Hell and woe. 

Satan's wild derisive laugh 

Rang like a funeral knell — 

Down, down they sank— through the vast abysh 

Till they entered the gates of Hell. 

Soul of Man ! Is there any sin 

That men commit on earth, 

That for its reward needs more punishment 

Than a conscience forever pricked ? 

Shuddering — starving — lamenting— 

That numberless host of damned souls, 

Wandered in Night and Chao.s 



Furies torturing their innermost souls. 

Abhored reptiles with eyes aghast, 

Clung to the new inhabitants ; 

And lakes of blood reflected bare, 

The horrors depicted there — 

Where Satan now reigned supreme. 

Ravenous monsters whose mouths 

Gaped in mockery at Despair, 

Grim Terror with dilated eyes, 

Witches inhaling parched air. 

Scorpion , vehement to destroy, 

Crawled on their bellies in vengeful ire : 

Horned dragons with stinging wings, 

Sorceresses groveling in filth and mire. 

Pain . . . keen, extreme, with no relief: 

Misery laughing incessantly 

At bleeding forms that tried to rise. 

From the curse of that Stygian sea. 

Slander with her venomous tongue, 

Her epitaths vile and coarse, 

Ivicked up and whispered each suspicious deed, 

Then grinned at pale Remorse. 

Lust, burning in carnal appetite. 
Made fiercer still her one desire. 
Till in her frenzy she outcried 
" Ye mock me ! vile spirit of fire." 
No cooling drop of liquid sweet. 
To quench the awful thirst within ; 

26 



No rest to hush the wild wild wail 

Of Sin .... abominable Sin. 

Oh Anguish ! Dost thou crave repentance 

That thy pursuing is so bitter ? 

Hath Mercy forgotten intercession 

That no Saviour cometh to deliver ? 

Oh Pity ! Can'st thou not implore 

Compassion, to regenerate 

Those puissant legions who vied 

To be chief in lieu of their Commander ? 

Does thy Sin ... . which to man seems paltry, 

Bar communion with thy Maker, 

Or shall ye reascend to glory, 

Purged of that pride for which ye suffer ? 

There is a power whose name is will, 

That in its place is Heaven or Hell : 

Heaven it is if judged by God's analogy, 

But man alone elects its final destiny. 

Satan, wearied with taunts of tartareans, 
And seeking revenge on God's theocrasy. 
Sought to deliver or perchance relieve 
The unspeakable agonies of infernal regions. 
Did the prime instigator of their destruction 
Acknowledge obeisance to Jehovah ? 
Did contrition or keen affliction 
Stir the arch fiend to distraction ? 

Hate enormous in her enmity, 

Sealed his soul with a new name : 

27 



Vengeance, desperate in her villiany, 
Stamped the Devil with a new fame, 

*' Oh fallen seraphims ! 

Heirs by right of the Empyrean Throne .... 

Why wander here in chaotic atmosphere ? 

Condemned to plagues — 

Where wrath and fury lurks ? 

Spirits we are and spirits we remain, 

One with Him whose life was antemundane. 

Burst the bars of this vast and boundless deep, 

And make Good weep that Evil doth predomin- 
ate ! " 
As the Fiend spake. ... Lo ! A sound was 
heard, 

That made all Hell quake and look aghast .... 

Mightier than thunder with repeated blast on 
blast 

Suddenly as from afar a light was seen — 

What meant its irradiate brilliancy ? 

All Hell rested, wondering .... 

Until the close of Day : 

As night came on 

Curiosity possessed them one and all. 

Satan by cunning and guile 

Peeked through the massive portal. 

' ' Wonder ! . . . . Draw near, ye infernal sires ! 

A World where laud and sea unite, 

And far above the circling orbit 



Fulgent planets peep out 

Like diamonds, studded in the Celestial Throne, 

Dazzling, twinkling, illuminating, 

Hiding forever from our sight our lost home : 

And above where the Good reigns, 

A cerulean wave of a vast unbounded sea ! 

What means this mystery ? 

sail companion fiends ! 

God who gave eternal fire, 

Cannot reclaim the spirits might : 

Unseen in ether I will ascend. 

Far beyond, to that new world. 

And prove its meaning — 

Even if I must pretend 

Hypocrial scantity." 



Emerging from Hell a spirit bold, 

Wrapped round and round in crimson fold, 

Entered Nature's lovely portal. 

Mighty his form .... unearthly in its strength, 

But perfect as human e'er gave birth : 

Winged as celestial cherubs to soar at will, 

And armed with unyielding purpose to fulfill, 

His first and last desire - Revenge on God. 

But e'er his unseen feet the threshold pressed, 

A deathly image met him face to face : 

The deep sunk eyeballs returned his fiendish 

glare 
And Fear appalled the Devil in all its awe. 

29 



" What spirit art thou that cometh to greet, 
With faded countenance and shrouded feet ? 
Thy like ne'er graced Heaven or Hell before, 
SPEAK ! or vanish from my sight forevermore. ' ' 
"By Heaven's degree Light reflects bare, 
The grim decayed shape thou see'st here : 
Unknown as yet my purpose to fulfill— 
BEWARE ! Lest Mockery awake to instill 
Within thy breast a bitterer pang, 
Than even loss of Heaven's Throne. 
Revenge leads Mockery by the hand, 
And scorns pretentious honor 
She assays to command. 
Knowest thou not, vile fiend of Sin, 
That objects mirror their shadows within? 
The likeness is often a similar size, 
But sometimes a monster in other guise. " 
'' Thy claminess freezes the marrow of life ! 
Thou knowest aught of victory or strife ! 
Away ! and leave me to wear alone 
The laurels of victory and my fall to atone." 
" Here I wait till thy return. 
Guarding the gate of unhappy Wrong : 
Here I welcome thy descension 
With outstretched hand and dirge to Right. ' ' 
The evil eyes of blackest hue. 
Sparkled with nefarious light : 
The mouth spread into malicious grin, 
That this Skeleton's purpose so served his aim. 
30 



" Farewell till then thou ghastly frame, 
I'll clothe thee with a wierd new name ! 
Death thou art and thy kiss shall seal, 
All souls. Right and wrong to reveal 
Their destiny." 

A Satan rose into God's new Universe, 
Awe — impressed in all its might, 
Spellbound his soul as he viewed that sight. 
The brilliant, glorious, live-giving sun, 
Circled its way beyond the horizon : 
Silvery clouds interspersed with white, 
Passed like butterflies in their flight : 
And halfway beneath a blue canopy, 
Floated a world made of land and sea. 
" What scheme of Nature meanest this, 
That sends to eyes this sight to bless ? 
More lovely view ne'er met the gaze 
Of the beholder ! 
Is it fancy that doth weave 
A veil o'er the windows of my soul, 
Or is yon lovely mundane sphere, 
Inhabited with precious souls and dear ? 

I'll wend my way 

Perchance I meet rebufl ? 

Then pride will not say to bafflement 

Enough ! My flight I'll wing 

Even to Heaven's gate. 
There patiently to wait 
The fulfillment of my hope." 

31 



Was God listening to this soliloquy, 

Or did Good not dream, that evil methods 

Could hold such infamy ? 

O loyal Muse ! 

Why give the victory to Sitan, 

Than to God's preordination? 

He who has never worn Victory's crown, 

Dreams not in his soul the prize of its renown. 

Daily attach of the might we call Strength, 

Adds new lustre to its measure and length : 

Till glory encircling her noble brow, 

Defies weakness to tempt and adoration to bow. 

Listen ye saints to the wisdom of God ! 

And judge if ye think it evil or good— 

" Each spirit must know the temptation of Sin, 

And rise from its depths to be made pure within! 

I have made me a world most wondrously fair. 

And I will cieate human souls 

To dwell peacefully there ! 

But choose they must between Right and Wrong ! 

And make Life— Deatb ... or an unended song, 

Where Love will be a grand melody. 

Accompanied with exquisite harmony." 



\2 



CANTO in. 

Eastward in Eden on the banks of Pison. 
God planted a garden ; 

It spread o'er the noble plains of Euphrates, 
And flaming swords guarded the bdellium gates : 
No measure of poetry or versed inspiration, 
Could transport to the senses the bloom of per- 
fection, 
Flowering in Eden. 

God had transplanted with tender care, 
And mother Earth nursed her first-born there : 
Then wisdom and genius both drew near, 
And watched God sculpture His own image dear 
A precious soul He incased in the masterful 

frame, 
And breathed life into man He called Adam by 

name. 
The father of all the human race. 
Walked with God. With steps of infinite grace 
He trod o'er the flower-decked paths 
Wondering at his Father's bountifulness. 
** Every beast of the field that thou dost see 
Every living thing I have given to thee ! 
Thou shalt ordain their title and worth, 
And what is not meat is made for thy mirth. 
But the Tree of Knowledge, of Good and Evil, 
Of Life with God or Death with the Devil, 
The Omnipotent hath ordained in His plan, 
That its luscious fruit shall not be eaten by man. " 

33 



As twilight crept over earth's lovely day, 

A nightingale caroled his first trilling lay : 

The golden sun rolling down to rest, 

Shed radiant beams toward the west : 

Little breezes singing among the trees. 

Lulled to sleep weary birdlings and honey bees : 

Unharmful shadow played with each drooping 

leaf, 
And kissed the dewy clover grass lying beneath. 
Imperial Night bringing sweet repose. 
Bade each weary one rest and tired eyelids to close; 
God's own angels sang slumber luUabys — 
The spiritual band 
Inhabited earth unseen by man, — 
Unseen as seeming sorrow 
Which unfolds to sweet joy to-morrow. 
One by one stars twinkled and shone 
Like fairy lamps illumining the hearth of a home; 
And a circle of pale far-reaching light, 
Added to the beautiful solitude of Night. 

After a simple heartfelt prayer 

Of thanks to the noble Bestower, 

Adam bade God a holy Amen. 

Neath the shade of a cedar was a tropic spot. 

That formed a couch of violet and forget-me-not. 

And he hied him hither. 

He slept as a babe 

Alone with peace, from the day o'erpast, 

34 



With no fond hope that his heart might ask 
Unsatisfied. Oh, happy those who find their 

heaven 
In sweet content ! For content is Heaven ! 
Who miss not joy's fruit growing by the way, 
In the dear lowly paths of every day, 
When God is the sower. 



One more mission on earth had He : 
The mission to create Man's affinity. 



" It is not good that man should be alone, 

I will make him a mate ! The hearth and home 

Will claim her for their queen ; 

With gentle manner and pure, sweet thought, 

She will charm man's soul, so that care for naught 

Of trying contact — will take wings and flee. 

Sleep, gentle soul ! From thee shall spring 
A perfect ideal. Holy wedlock's ring 
With both I will encircle. 
Then bliss may beget sweet images fair. 
And childish voices shall echo the prayer 
Of homage to Jehovah." 

Thou Germ of germs who did intend 

Life to be a glorious flower, whose blooming 

Time could never wither or end : 

Unroll ! Unwind ! Unravel Reason's Mystery, 

And make her wheel a circle of simplicity ! 



35 



Oh gentle reader ! Could ye resist 

That great temptation ? Then why persist 

In falling each little day. . . . 

For less .... far less than Adam's sin ? 

Could we think simple thought and pure, 

Then Good and Evil would demur 

Of their intention. 

For every deed or action in Life's field 

Solves first the problem. . . . 

In height or depth will I build ? 

Every thought framed in the infinite mind, 

Immerges therefrom and denotes to expression 

The degree of kind. . . . whether noble or base. 

Is it a good to hide evil deeds 

By showering on poverty's children their needs? 

Naught but the soul knows the struggle within, 

Its striving to rise 

From persistent temptation of Sin. 



Oh Morning ! Unmatched in Nature's beauties, 

And made blessed b)' the glorious sun : 

Who calleth AWAKE ! and Life honoring Duty, 

Springs to activity and Day is begun. 

But more lovely than thou in thy loveliest hour, 

And sweet as the fragrance of the sweetest flower, 

Is she whom thou hast brought. 

A golden shower of waving tresses 

Crowns her ; with clinging caresses 

36 



They half hide dimpled shoulders and noble 

breasts. 
With eyes of a perfect heavenly blue, 
And changing only when love shines through 
To a still deeper and dearer color. 
With unspeakable tenderness in her beautiful 

face, 
With light steps of peerless, exquisite grace, 
She approacheth her future husband. 

Her robe the royal one of purity, 

Is bedecked with no jewel save modesty. 

Adorning Innocence ! Thou art the test 

Of what offspring shall repose in thy nest 

Or rock in generations' cradle. 

The premier lover .... clad in similar robe. 

And armed with respect and courage bold, 

Went forth to greet her. 

' ' Woman thou art ! The essence of Man ! 

With thee communion is dearer, than 

All else in this fair world." 

Man's heart is a simple precious thing 

That resembles the vital golden spring 

Of a watch Time's teller. 

But no time will ever be dearer to man, 
Than that moment when felicitous love 
First began to enter. When heart beats 
Resound in another heart, as an echo 



37 



lyingering as a loved song while apart, 

Or walking life's path together. 

Oh little day ! How sweet art thou 

When ruled by Love's caresses and vows, 

For Labor she cheereth. 

But liveth a soul of sufficient content. 

Who doth not crave for more ? 

True happiness often overflows, 

And sends sorrow to close the door. 



Ah expected to-morrow ! Why cannot ye fore- 
tell. 
What tragedies are woven by magic spell, 
Ro und thy future moments ? 
For in time's lazy hour Sin doth cajole, 
Beware ! The saddest duty pressed on a soul, 
Is freedom from work or knowledge. 

God gave man the soil to till. 

And Adam went forth with loving will. 

To do his divine bidding. 

The God-sent woman to man grown dear, 

Lingered at home — unmindful of fear, 

Nor dreamed of harm befalling. 

Where fleddest thou Art, in all thy beauties ? 
Where, tell me where were life's homely Duties, 
That Idleness now held sway ? 



3« 



CANTO IV. 
Clothed in invisible Hypocrisy, 
The Impostor foul entered man's sanctity, 
And Peace went home to God. 
Not as an aerial meteor when it falls 
In natural glory : Nativeness proclaiming 

Whence came it But an incorporeal spirit 

Imitating a living snake, 

He blinded goodness guarding at Eden's gate 

For Man's foe. 

Watchful Uriel gazing on its cunning charm, 

Saw it crawl slowly from outside Harm, 

Thinking it had strayed. 

" I shall not question spirits that dwell here, 
lycst recognition fill them with dread fear, 
And I lose Gain." 

Suppressed surprise shot in startled gleams, 
On the beauties which seemed true sunbeams 

Of Paradise his old home. 

But the next vision filled him with despair ! 
It was a flower-decked path, where loving pair 
Walked hand in hand. 

* * Creatures of most mysterious mould ! 

Ke . . . God-like : She, God-like through him : 

Two loving hearts now free from Sin : 

The first inhabitants of this great world. 



39 



Writhe on my soul ! Will envy burst it asunder 

With those sweet glances ? 

Doubtless one little blunder 
Shall cast them from their high estate. 
What gentle converse speaks those lips ? 
Hark ! . . . The secret of their existence 

In the bud I'll nip 

Then scheme to cause it ruin. 

Oh blessed language that gives me the key ! 
T'is obeyance. To touch not yon lofty tree, 
Or Death shall be the doom." 

Oh tender Bard, my heart doth cry 



Why ? . . .Why did not greater God, 
Defy Satan to conquer man' s will ? 

Nay doubting faith! Would' st thou know all? 
Man's will was free given. Small were the gift 
If Obeyance demanded that will. 

Wandering far from her native bowers 

Went Eve. Gathering here and there a flower, 

As fancy pleased. 

Ye bordered paths where beauty dwells 

Can ye not whisper to our hearts and tell 

Where lies the stinging adder ? 

Awake ye breezes and with singing note 

Bear Deception o'er thy waves. 

Afloat in her wicked bark. 



40 



Coiling itself by the right of way, 

An evil-eyed hideous monster lay 

Innocent apparently from outward form, 

But with a black purpose— That life would mourn 

Should Gain be the fulfillment. 

' ' Did God command ye shall not taste 

Of every fruit ? Oh Woman haste ! 

And partake that ye might be as gods 
Who walk through life having open eyes : 
Surely thou knowest that nothing dies 
By His decree." 

Persuaded by these accents mild and sweet, 

She directed her steps to where nature replete 

Was blooming. 

" Ah dearest beloved ! I will bring to thee 

Food for gods. For to know good from evil 

Will be wisdom unsought ! ' ' 

With fast flying feet she went to greet 

Her master. She bore in her hand the seed 

Of emotional Passion. 

Flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone, 

Could man resist his very own 

And conquer? 

If love completely own the will 

Selfishness cannot awake to instill 

Her individualism. 

Adam partook of the morsel without fear . . . 



41 



But in Heaven God shed a tear 
For the consequences. 

With amorous play— for thought delayed Danger, 
They sped to their pure unbridaled chamber — 
And Virtue fled. 



42 



CANTO V. 

A ladder made of extended angels' hands 
Descended from Heaven's portal. The spiritual 

band 
Upheld God's chariot. 
Blessed memory can ye ever trace, 
Another sight more dear than God's own face, 
For mortal vision ? 

In the cool eventide of Eden's last day, 
The Infinite Father sought two who wandered 

away 
From His precious fold. 
Can the soul of a parent ever repress. 
The yearning love in his wounded breast 
For the prodigal? 

In accents reproachful though tender and sweet 
God questioned Adam. . . . '* Did'st thou eat 
Of the forbidden fruit?" 

* ' The Woman whom thou gavest offered to me 
And I accepted. The warning word from Thee 
Went uncherished. ' ' 
" What is this that thou hast done?" 
The woman answered— '' The serpent won 
My heart by his beguiling. ' ' 

The Minor key of God's heart was touched 
As deep as sounds saddest strain. Hushed 
Was the Major, tone. 

43 



His all-seeing eyes pierced the accursed spirit 

With full understanding. Unhallowed Merit 

Added to Wickedness the Sin of Deception. 

* ' Cursed art thou above cattle and beast ! 

No pity — even of Measure's least 

Can deserve claim for thy transgression. 

On thy belly shalt thou go the days of thy life 

With nought save dust to eat : 

Woman's seed vi^ith Enmity's strife, 

Over thee shall triumph ! 

Woman ! I will multiply thy sorrow and con- 
ception 
And thy desire shall be to thy husband ! 
With protection he shall rule over thee. 

Adam ! Thou hast harkened to the voice of thy 

wife, 
And cursed is the ground for thy sake ! 
All through life shalt thou eat of it. 
Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth to thee, 
And the herb from the field ; 
No bread shall there be 
Save by the sweat of thy face." 

Then God made Adam and Eve coats of skin 
And clothed them. For when Sin is naked 
Darker pollution beginneth. 

44 



'' Lest man stretch forth his hand and partake 

Of Life's Tree and live forever— 

His eyes no more shall see his native Eden." 

Driven from home ! Wanderers on Barth ! 
Fallen through Sin ! Naught save the promise 
That birth v^ould restore their heritage. 

Though Time was the Night v^^hen God wended 

His way, 
The Sky was living blue as when pure day 
Made it visible. 

For Darkness fled before primitive Light. . . . 
On rolling clouds of ethereal white 
Sailed the Pilgrimer. 
Silence immense possessed God's soul 
For the lofty idea, dreamed of the whole 
Conception of man missed expression. 
But the tears welling from His pitying eyes, 
Dropped to earth— and Hope, unmasking Disguise 
Proved those tear-drops more precious than dew. 
For Commonplace Life by their moistening power 
Added Genius and Skill and an endless dower 
Of blessings for man. 
Then relative Major wept with her Minor 

At the bier of common Sorrow 

Were their lamentations heard ? 



« 



CANTO VI. 

A hideous monster reached Hell's dark gate : 

A crawling Serpent With eyes of per- 
fidious hate 

At beholding his transformation. 

" BESTIR ! BESTIR ! And let me in ! 

With triumph I return to the field of Sin 

With glory to be crowned." 

His companions, receding with awful fear 

Trembled. Would God relieve them with one 
lone tear 

When Remorse subsided ? 

What doom in judgment could equal this ? 

Ah ! Hell itself had owned one bliss 

Above such phrenetic curse. 

Palsied of might and speech and thought 

For one instant They arose a screeching 

mass 

And sought to flee from Belial. 

In weird supernatural commanding cry, 

The Monster ordered them not to fly, 

But pause and listen. 

' * Stagnant this region compared with the world 

I have lately visited. Your Chief 

Hath unveiled the mystery ! " 

No shout of victory burst from that throng 

At such declamation . . Beelzebub wearied long 

By such boasts denounced them. 

46 



* * Hollow thy hopes and aspirations ! 
Success is not linked with thy apopthegm, 
Else thou mockest this synod of gods. 
For if victory thou had'st been crowned, 
would Dragon be the baneful bedaggled sound 
To express thy title ? ' ' 

Abaddon . . . stung to the quick by his false 

friend 
Blasphemed the Deity. Doubt began to contend 
With inquisitive Curiosity. 
Amid insulting hissing and disparage 
Appolyon staggered. Seemingly their chief sage 
Was momentarily vanquished. 

'' Hail Fate Hail ! We embraced thy fetters 

When we linked Destiny to Death. 

Are we not debtors 

To the King of Pandemonium ? ' ' 

Care .... worn deep by superstitious fear 

Sat on Apollyon's brow . . . Sadly drear 

Seemed their abasement. 

But dauntless in courage and goaded by conceit, 

He rallied mighty Force to Will 

' ' Ye golden-eared Wheat ! Shall ye all turn to 

chaff? 
Hark ! . . Tetrarchs : Kings : Potentates : 
Draw near while I unfold to you 
How late this personation I practised. " 



47 



Silenced by such a bold glosing lie 

They assembled once more. Hushing wail and 

cry 
Till Duplicity should be expounded. 
" Picture an orb of elementary worth, 
Where proud Nature recently hath given birth, 
To water and productive land : 
Where Seasons .... Winter and budding Spring 
Blossoms to blitheful Summer bring, 
Filling Autumn's harvest with plenty. 
Where many a winding river doth flow, 
Where gentle, temperate zephyrs blow 
Stillness to play with Activity : 
Where proud old oaks shade the hot sun's blaze, 
Where cowslip and daisy grow in clustered ways, 
To form downy couches : 

Where the lion gambles with the gentle gazelle, 
Where warbling birds flit o'er field and dell. 
Filling the air with melody : 
Where the pomegranate, the fig and golden apple 
And a tonic wine from the grape doth ripple. 
Quenched thirst to satisfy : 
Where the bee forgetting his cruel sting. 
Drops on a flower to rest his pretty wing. 
And sips the sweet honey. 
Where silver streams that laugh and bubble. 
And mirror the swan to a shadowy double. 
As she sails proudly by. 

48 



Where the auricula, the daffodil and queenly rose, 
And every fair flower that imagination knows, 
Bloom and waft their fragrant perfume. 
Where away from God and alone in Space, 
We may find a Utopian sequestered place, 
To reign supreme. 

But it seemeth within your souls ye question, 
For the method of the Most High's figured 

intention 
For such glorious creation ? 
Friends and Foes ! The problem of greatness is 

this— 
That we weave till we weave out her simpleness, 
And laugh Intricacy to scorn. 
Dwelling and flourishing on one hemisphere 
I beheld two human forms. But not in fear 
Did I approach them, 
lyiving in Love they were easily led, 
And mistaking Wrong's voice for Right's instead 
Have received the annats of preferment. 
Already Man's seducement has been completed. 
And Wrong has abolished the eternal right 
Deeded to him from God. 
Shall ye sojourn in this pestiferous realm, 
Where anathema and aceldama overwhelm 
The spirit with despair ? 
Shall ye embrace such attollent fortune. 
And laugh with fickle chance and high promotion, 

49 



Or send a more honest Investigator? " 
Disease, Distemper and apeing Mimicry, 
Disrespect, Adultery and perjured Abscondry, 
Disembogued their affirmation. 
But Melancholy and drunken Revelry, 
Purlonged Theft and suspicious Jealousy, 
Consu'ted with Theurgy and Confusion. 
" Brethren ! It is no ambiguous arcanum, 

That eminence in Hell is withheld — 

But migration in force might be opposed. 

This mismatic atmosphere rooms no perlieu for 
Joy, 

But Consideration bids Caution be deceptively 
coy. 

In our attempt of possession. 

In little bands let us emigrate there, 

To foretaste of this land. As spirits 

Perchance man will be unaware 

Of our presence. ' ' 

On the features of the fierce Misanthrope 

A visible satisfaction dawned. Oh alluring Hope ! 

Would his dream be realized ? 



50 



CANTO VII. 
Seated on the high exalted Throne 

Of the Omnipotent' s Dominion 

I beheld a Lamb as pure as snow. 

His countenance was like unto the sun, 

Emitting the life-giving rays 

That Time cannot outrun 

Because Strength is unparalleled. 

His eyes were more tender than all eyes above, 

And in their depths burned the continual fire of 

love, 
Rekindling in uplifted eyes below. 
His mellifluous voice was as the sound 
Of many waters, whose varied tones but roll 

around 
The mysteries of condition. 
His snowy raiment, woven with God's hands. 
Was gently girdled with unalloyed golden bands. 
Arid wear retained it spotless. 
Round about that noble Jesu head — 
Which seemed immaculate God instead, 
An emerald rainbow circled. 
And twenty elders kneeling before that Throne, 
Tuned their gold harps to one true unison tone, 
Then sang the Hallelujah chorus : 
BLESSING AND GLORY AND HONOR, 
THANKSGIVING, WISDOM AND POWER, 



51 



BK UNTO OUR GOD FOREVER AND EVER 

AI.LELUJAH ! AMEN. 

But e'er those sweet hosannah's died away, 

The incense rose and through the mistlike ray, 

The Godhead was made visible. 

Father .... Son .... and Holy Spirit, 

The Comforter that souls through grace inherit. 

And from violation are sanctified. 

The Annointed was pleading for the human race 

That Providence created. No worthy case 

Ever claimed so great an Advocater. 

"See' St thou what hatred and revenge 

Hath stirred the false Prophet ? 

Behold he doth ascend to Man's colossal seat. 

Shall Adam from Satan's temptation arise 

And be as these Thy subjects? Or wilt Thou 

disguise 
All thought and knowledge of Sin ? 
Will he fear his God enduring forever. 
Because Thou art Truth and Righteousness 

together 
And the Rock of his salvation ? 
Will Thy judgment be more desired than gold, 
Yea, rather than much fine gold, 
And sweeter than honey and the honeycomb ? 
Shall he praise with psalm the Chief Musician, 



52 



That marvelous lovingkindness made no ommis- 

sion, 
Of one beatitude? " 

The Spirit of Goodness, who is Wisdom and 

Might, 
And the well-spring of understanding and light, 
Spake a parable : 

" An ugly weed growing in roadside way, 
More hideous grew from day to day, 
Until Merit passed it heedlessly by : j 

Then it said to itself — nothing heedeth me ! 
I will contaminate all that approach, to see 
What effect will develop ! 
But Life hath a mission for each loved germ. 
Though its value Time has been late to learn, 
As only Perseverance will prove. 
An angel was sent from Heaven's gate. 
To. seek through Time —be it early or late. 
For an everlasting aromic incense : 
He sought in each city and lovely nook. 
He sought on the by-way and by babbling brook , 
But success failed to crown effort. 
Discouraged with heat on Barren Way, 
He gave up hope as he reached Highway, 
When a hideous weed he spied : 
He gathered it with loving hand, 
And pressed it close in his girdled band, 
Then soared on high again. 



53 



Botanical Genus owned but one of the kind 

And it held a hidden \nrtue 

Blind to all eyes save God : 
That hideous weed when purged of dross, 
Was pressed until essence wended forth , 
The ethereal quintessence of heaven. 

In that new kingdom where the world is the field, 

Faithful children is the good seed it will yield, 

But the tares are the children of the Enemy : 

The love of Good, inborn in the human soul, 

Is linked eternally to Will. Might in her whole 

Strength cannot separate them. 

Man in choosing Evil usurps not the Good 

By one iota. But Discontent 

Would expel Happiness forever. 

Hail Wisdom ! Thy parable interpreted — 

By Repentance through sacrifice souls may be led 

To Redemption. 

A paschal lamb oflfered on the altar of fire 

-For atonement — shall blight the Evil One's desire 

And save the race from damnation. 

But the antitype promised for man's remission, 

Is my beloved Son — What dearer offering could 

Sin 
Demand from the Giver? " 
Love ineffable through Christ's features shone 
Until God's image mirrored His very own 
Making Father and Son equal. 

54 , • J 



'* Abba — I,et me so glorify Thy name, 

That man shall worship God the same 

As He whom thou hast sent. 

Let Thy grace be sufficient for me 

For whatever sacrifice Love doth not foresee — 

May Thy will be done." 

The Head of the great Melchisedec order 

Bowed in rapturous reverence — ' * Children lauder 

Hosannah to Jesus the Saviour. ' ' 

HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY ! 
BEHOLD THE BRIGHT AND MORNING 

STAR! 
HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY! 
WORSHIP THE LAMB FOREVERMORE ! 

Earth's religious theme then gladdened each ear, 

And waiting listeners scarce breathed to hear 

What its foundation would be. 

'* Not as reigning Monarch or exalted King, 

Not awaiting multitude to hail and sing 

Thy approaching ascension. 

But by the marvelous mystery of human birth. 

Woman shall bear a babe who will gladden earth 

With Peace, Good- will to man." 



L.afC. 55 



CANTO VIII. 
Through generations with sinful man 
Forbearance lingered. Else the Divine plan 
Had been abolished. 

When multitudes covered the face of the earth, 
God claimed one pure lineage of royal birth, 
From Abraham to David. 



The Almighty sent Gabriel to a chaste home 

In Nazareth of Galilee : where a virgin alone 

Knelt at devotions. 

That spirit entered the unopened door, 

And illuminating light darkened before 

The brightness of His countenance. 

' ' Hail thou that art highly favored ! 

The Ivord be with thee ! Blessed 

Art thou among women." 

The maiden, void of apparent fear, 

As are those who worship God sincere. 

Was amazed at such salutation. 

" Fear not Mary ! That holy child born of thee. 

And called Emmanuel . . . Interpreted shall be, 

Jesus the Son of the Highest. 

The lyord shall give him the throne of David, 

And He shall rule over the house of Jacob, 

His kingdom to have no end. ' ' 

56 



Virgin Purity blushed on Mary's brow, 

And Honor demanded from the messenger, 

• ' How shall these things be ? " 

The announcing angel replied unto her, 

* • The Holy Ghost shall come with power, 

And overshadow thee." 

" Behold the handmaid of the Lord, 

Be it unto me according to thy word," 

And the angel departed from her. 

Unseen . . . unheard . . . unfelt by all 

Save Mary ... a something came from Heaven : 

It clouded rounded the Virgin's form. 

And entered by the Holy Grail of Purity : 

Soft as a baby's willing kiss, 

Ivight so light that sound would miss 

Its advent ... so crept this God-sent Germ, 

Of the eternal Father's treasured Son. 

When virtuous passion plants a seed, 

And Nature nourishes it in fields elysium, 

It blossoms forth wonder indeed ! 

A little child, lyove's own expression. 

But what doth nourish the infant soul, 

That launches out in life new born ? 

Is it not God's mysterious power, 

That quickens -the breath through time's hour ? 

Praise and thanksgiving filled Mary's soul. 
With exceeding joy. Would not the whole 
Universe call her Mother ? 



57 



The psalms of the greatest earthly musician 

Were by her forgotten : 

But the Spirit for their omission 

Inspired a Magnificat : 

"MY SOUL DOTH MAGNIFY THE LORD, 

AND MY SPIRIT HATH REJOICED 

IN GOD MY SAVIOR. 

FOR HE HATH REGARDED 

THE LOW ESTATE OF HIS HANDMAIDEN. 

FOR BEHOLD FROM HENCEFORTH, 

ALL GENERATIONS SHALL CALL ME BLESSED. 

FOR HE THAT IS MIGHTY 

HATH DONE TO ME GREAT THINGS, 

AND HOLY IS HIS NAME. 

AND HIS MERCY IS ON THEM THAT FEAR HIM. 

FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION. 

HE HATH SHOWED STRENGTH WITH HIS ARM, 

HE HATH SCATTERED THE PROUD 

IN THE IMAGINATION OF THEIR HEARTS : 

HE HATH PUT DOWN THE MIGHTY FROM 

THEIR SEATS, 
AND EXALTED THEM OF LOW DEGREE : 
HE HATH FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD 

THINGS, 
AND THE RICH HE HATH SENT EMPTY AWAY : 
HE HATH HOLPEN HIS SERVANT ISRAEL 
IN THE REMEMBRANCE OF HIS MERCY; 
AS HE SPAKE TO OUR FOREFATHERS, 
TO ABRAHAM AND TO HIS SEED FOREVER." 



Far over the verdant plains of Judaea, 
To the lovely town of Bethlehem so dear, 

58 



Where pomp and pride are forgotten : 

Where rustic sweetness and humbleness dwell 

Side by side. Leaving joy on each brow to tell, 

That happiness makes kings of peasants. 

Thy cattle quench thirst from a small, clear 

stream, 
Then wander in meadow-grass to low and dream 
Of the wind , the field and weather : 
The meadow lark is thy native bird. 
And all the year round is her melody heard, 
From housetop, tree and heather. 
Little children patter their baby feet 
In the village of homes. Wild flowers sweet 
Grow within thy borders. 
Content is the great treasure of thy wealth, 
And pureness of life doth assure thy health, 
Making home a kingdom. 

When the sun was hid in her cradle bed. 

One irradiate star sentried overhead 

Where a young child lay. 

The humble manger whereon he slept 

Was Heaven's choice. Could Sacrifice accept 

A poorer dwelling? 

Keeping watch over their flock by night, 
Shepherds gazed in wonder at that star's light 
Shining round about them. 
But Lo ! The Lord's angel doth appear, 

59 



Proclaiming to eager listening ear, 

Tidings of joy for all people. 

" In the city of David . . . this blessed morn, 

The Saviour Christ the Lord was born, 

Ye will find Him in a manger." 

And suddenly an angelic throng 

Lauded that angel's jubilant song. 

Praising God and saying : 

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST ! 

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST ! 

AND ON EARTH PEACE, COOD WILL. 

When the angels were gone away from them. 

They said ..." Let us now go even unto 

Bethlehem, 
And see this Thing which has come to pass." 



On a comfortless bed of fragrant hay, 

Life in the form of a baby laj^ 

Oh blessed motherhood ! 

A visible crown of blue ether light 

Rested over him . . . nor darkest night 

Could erase its hallowed circle. 

Wrapped in simple swaddling clothes, 

With naught to administer, when woes 

Gave expression. 

But if God doth not forget the sparrow, 

60 



O-r the lily that must bloom tomorrow, 

Could He forget Thee ? 

Do not joy and sor ow ride wheel within wheel, 

I^eaving Patient Endurance their gleams to 

reveal. 
Proving sorrow but joy misunderstood? 
Yea ! For e'er Thine eyes in slumber rest, 
Three wise men from the far east 
Were seeking the Messiah. 

*' Where is He that was born King of the Jews, 
For His star hath proclaimed the joyful news. 
And we are come to worship Him." 
Bringing gifts of frankincense and myrrh, 
Gold, ophir and gems that by far 
Outnumbered those to a ruler. 
With worship they knelt at their Savior's feet, 
Offering thanksgiving. In each heart beat 
Pious adoration. 

Departing in joy — Hark ! A new song they sing, 
" Praised be God we beheld the King 
Promised to our forefathers." 

Mary pondered their sayings in her breast, 
And Mother love tenderly nursed, the blest 
Hope of Salvation. 

Into God's Holy Temple at Jerusalem, 
Mary and Joseph — late of Bethlehem, 
Brought an Infant Child. 

6i 



According unto the law of the Lord, 

As it is written in His holy Word, 

He was circumcised and called Jesus. 

Simeon, a devout and holy man, 

Waiting for Israel's consolation, 

Took the child in his arms saying . . . 

' * Lord mine eyes have seen Thy salvation ! 

And the glory and light of every nation ! 

Let me now depart in peace ! " 

Then laying his hands on them he blessed them, 

And they departed. Returning not to Bethlehem, 

But their native city of Nazareth. 



ez 



CANTO IX. 
On a desolate spot as wild as Fear, 
Three crosses on the clouded horizon appear, 
And one bears an inscription. 
No angel comes to uphold Him there .... 
Who died martyr. Body broken and torn bare 
Where nails had pierced. 
Can thy crucified body ever efface. 
The triumphant joy on that classic face, 
Telling Redemption's story ? 
Victory alone doth wreathe laurel crown. 
To place upon Thy brow. Unending Renown 
Will proclaim * * Salvation from Death ! ' ' 

Joseph of Arimathaea Jesus' disciple, 

Rich in wealth and a counsellor by title, 
Craved Pilot for his Lord's body : 
Nicodemus, which came to Jesus by night, 
Brought myrrh and aloes of an hundred weight, 
And they wrapped Him in fine linen. 
In the place where He was crucified was a garden, 
Wherein was a sepulchre. Therein they laid 

Him, 
And rolled a stone to the door. 



Early in the morning, on the first day of the 
week , 

63 



Came Mary Magdalene and Salome with spices 

sweet, 
To annoint their Master. 
But beholding the stone now rolled away, 
They list to what the Archangel doth say, 
'' He is risen ! " 



"All Hail ! ... It is Jesus whom they meet, 
On His way to Galilee. Holding Him by the 

feet. 
They worship Him. 

' * Be not afraid ! Go and tell my brethren, 
That I go before them into Jerusalem, 
To endue them with power from on high." 
Fear and great joy over each one came, 
And they hastened the glad news to proclaim, 
Of Christ's resurrection. 



In a little room in the Holy City, 

Eleven Disciples bound in love and pity, 

Were assembled together. 

When converse was hushed on their devout lips, 

Jesus came and stood in the very midst, 

Saying ..... '* Peace be unto you ! 

Go ye into all the world and preach 

64 ■ 



The Gospel of Salvation. Let the story reach 

To the uttermost parts of the earth." 

Then He breathed on them and they received 

The Holy Spirit : In their hearts they believed 

That Jesus Christ was the Son of God. 

For His great circle of Love included 

The farthest soul. No one is excluded 

Who believes on His name. 

He ascended to His Father and our Father, 

And awaits the redeemed ones to gather, 

To their eternal Rest. 

Lo ! The Earth shall pass with the sun, 

But the souls of women and men 

Shall dwell forev^er in the Temple of the Lamb. 

To whom be glory, dominion and power 

Forever and ever Hallelujah ! Amen ! 

Oh Soul wandering still on Earth, 

Struggling with Sin and Care ! 

Doth it breathe to thy soul a message, 

Hath it left a melody there ? 

Doth it quicken the spirit within thee, 

That a life, eternal fair — ^— 

Where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, 
Where thieves cannot break through and steal, 
Awaits "thee there?. 



65 



f 



